Over the past week or so, the Scotland players have spent some time tapping into the knowledge of two other elite sportsmen who have climbed the highest of mountains and planted a saltire at the summit.A two-time Olympic gold medallist in swimming, Duncan Scott has been in the camp sharing some of his experiences.So, too, has Josh Kerr, the middle-distance runner who broke the mile world record earlier this year before also winning gold in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.‘I think it’s awesome to rub shoulders with Scottish athletes that have dominated their fields,’ said Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu. ‘They’ve reached the top of the mountain.‘I think the more that we can do that, be surrounded by other people that have walked this path, people that have tried to be the first of their kind, it’s valuable.‘On the Lions tour, I remember Faz (Andy Farrell, head coach) getting Katie Taylor (Irish world champion boxer) in to speak to us. I thought that was so valuable to hear her experience in these big pressure moments because, ultimately, that’s what this level of sport is.‘There are big pressure moments and you want to hear how other people have walked this path before you. The more that we can do that and be surrounded by those type of athletes, the better.’ Beating the All Blacks would be the finest result of Townsend’s nine years in charge of ScotsThe particular mountain that stands before Tuipulotu and his team-mates at Murrayfield this afternoon is 121 years old. At base camp, they face a Haka before even taking their first step.It is one which has never been conquered by anyone in a Scotland jersey. On the last few journeys, they have caught a glimpse of the summit, been so close they could almost touch it, only to slip and fall short.This is the challenge that awaits Scotland this afternoon. Gregor Townsend was a player on the Lions tour of South Africa in 1997 when the great Jim Telfer delivered his famous Everest speech.Trying to beat the All Blacks is Scotland’s very own version of that. Can they finally reach the top? Or will it be another instance of glorious failure?When New Zealand pitched up at Murrayfield 12 months ago, a lot of people scoffed at the idea that they were vulnerable. A lot of them Scotland fans, too. ‘Aye, but it’s still the All Blacks…’In a way, those attitudes offered a glimpse into a long-standing psyche within Scottish sport. As a nation, we are too often unable to free ourselves from the mindset of the underdog. Kyle Steyn, Finn Russell and Rory Sutherland prepare for the New Zealand clashLike we are fundamentally incapable of beating any team with a richer and more illustrious history than our own, regardless of how they are faring at the time.New Zealand would eventually win that match 25-17, courtesy of a brilliant late try from Damian McKenzie where he contorted his body to the most impossible of angles to reach out and get over the try line.Most mere mortals would have needed spinal surgery had they attempted the same thing. It was an outstanding finish from a world-class player.Yet, for all the moments of individual brilliance, that was not a vintage All Blacks team. Not by any stretch.The following week after that game at Murrayfield, they were walloped 33-19 against England at Twickenham.Those were the dying throes of the Scott Robertson reign, when the All Blacks had lost their identity and were busy bickering among themselves.The feeling that Scotland had missed a huge opportunity was unavoidable. Was it their best ever chance to beat the All Blacks? Probably.Whether that chance has gone for this group of Scotland players, only time will tell.Events at Murrayfield this afternoon will show us where these two teams are heading, not only in terms of the Nations Championship but also with regards to next year’s World Cup. Scotland skipper Sione Tuipuloto was delighted to meet champion runner Josh KerrThere is no question this is a vastly improved All Blacks side than it was 12 months ago. They are reborn and rejuvenated under Dave Rennie, who has won ten of his 13 matches since taking charge.Their only defeats have come against South Africa. Under the guidance of Rennie and Mike Blair, this is a New Zealand side restored to its traditional form with menace, ambition, speed, accuracy and outrageous skill.‘Definitely, when I was growing up, the All Blacks represented greatness,’ noted Tuipulotu. ‘Growing up in Australia, I can’t remember as a kid watching the Wallabies beat the All Blacks.‘The dominance that they showed, particularly for me as a teenager growing up, watching them play was pretty remarkable.‘I think the team’s changed a lot. And I think maybe that team that I grew up watching in 2015 still to this day is in the conversation for the best team of all-time.‘The All Blacks always carry that weight of expectation with what the team means to the country and everything like that. They are playing a very exciting brand of rugby right now. I understand fully what type of team is coming to Murrayfield this weekend.’In last year’s Murrayfield encounter, Scotland made a dreadful start and found themselves 17-0 down before fighting back to level the match at 17-17.‘Making a good start is important in any Test match,’ said Tuipulotu. ‘New Zealand will know that as well. They’ll know they’ve started well against us on the past two occasions.‘Right from the start, the first 20 minutes is massive. But we know it’s probably not where the game’s going to be won and lost. It’s going to take a complete 80-minute performance.’Unlike last year, it would be hugely naïve to expect that this current All Blacks side might also suffer some sort of mini-implosion.For starters, they are fundamentally a far better team now than 12 months ago. They also have a points differential to consider in their bid to win the Nations Championship. Kyle Steyn and Rory Sutherland are ready for whatever All Blacks throw at themThis is a competition they want to win and they have made no secret of that. This is not some kind of developmental tour of the northern hemisphere. Rennie has named his strongest possible team. They will go for the jugular and it will be up to Scotland to withstand whatever blows come their way.The All Blacks have also been touched by tragedy this week with the sudden passing of their head of security, Logan Cadwallader, at their team hotel in Edinburgh.Grief often has a habit of uniting people in such moments and the All Blacks, who will wear their changed white jerseys with a poppy and black armbands, will be fuelled to claim a victory in honour of a man who was a hugely respected figure within their camp.For Scotland, the numbers are brutal. Thirty-three previous matches against New Zealand and zero wins. The odds on them ending that barren run feel longer now than they did 12 months ago.But Townsend’s side are capable of ripping up the script. France found that to their cost at Murrayfield in the Six Nations earlier this year. A similar sort of performance will be required.If Scotland can muster their very best, it would be quite simply their finest result of Townsend’s nine years in charge.